Calamities: Heydays of the opportunists
True enough, in us, typhoons, torrential rains and earthquakes are so customary. Year after year, these have become ordinary occurrences and the destructions these unfortunate events brought have become familiar sights. However, while these tragedies are inevitable, the consequential damages could have been mitigated.
On the other hand, there are tragedies that are evitable or avoidable. With a very good intelligence network, supposedly, bombings should have been prevented. The difficulty of tracking these lawless elements’ activities though had been a big challenge. In fact, not only for us but even for countries with advanced technologies. So that, as we’ve experienced, we had the Zamboanga siege on September 9, 2013 and, the Davao City night market bombing on September 2, 2016.
Due to the usual catastrophic damages these types of calamities bring, more likely, either a “state of calamity” or a “state of lawless violence” is declared.Where we are right now is one of the typical examples. Due to the Davao City night market bombing, we are now in a “state of lawless violence.”
What follows next though is not entirely bad at all. Well, depending on how people react. As we start rebuilding, we shall see a lot of opportunities we've never seen in normal times. For instance, in the aftermath of typhoons, earthquakes, and devastating attacks, clearing operations present countless of chances even to those lacking in skills or inadequately educated. Home repairs provide great prospects to our carpenters who, for decades, have been begging for jobs. Construction workers will be in demand as the government speeds up the restoration of school buildings as well as stretches of roads and bridges.
Then, expect a surge in demand for construction materials and medicine. As demand increases the need for more workers follow. In all, these activities shall address employment concerns on the deprived sector, and shall, somehow, contribute to the dreamed inclusive growth.
Yet, while it is true that tragedies like these present decent opportunities to some, a handful of selfish individuals may also take advantage of them in a different way. The words are calamity and lawless violence. Such words alone can be used unethically. These have been used before and the possibility that these shall be used constantly are big possibilities.
For one, when an area is in a state of calamity of lawless violence, the Department of Trade and Industry automatically imposes price freezes of all basic commodities. This would simply mean that basic commodities (such as, rice, corn; cooking oil; fresh, dried and canned fish and any marine produce; eggs; fresh pork, beef and poultry; fresh and processed milk; vegetables; root crops; sugar; coffee; laundry soap; detergent; candles; bread; salt; firewood and charcoal; as well as medicines and drugs classified essential as per the Department of Health) must remain at their prevailing prices prior to the declaration and is to remain up to a maximum of 60 days in accordance with Republic Act No. 7581. Yet, as we all know, this provision is constantly violated. Some businessmen are unethically hoarding these price controlled items within the 60-day freeze.
Moreover, as clear as daylight, we are witnesses as to how the sale of “ukay-ukay” (used clothing) proliferated in both the metropolis and the countryside. Done in broad daylight, it is seemingly enjoying a reasonable amount of legitimacy.
However, though it appeared legitimate, importation of used clothing is illegal by virtue of Republic Act No. 4653, “an act to safeguard the health of the people and maintain the dignity of the nation by declaring it a national policy to prohibit the commercial importation of textile articles commonly known as used clothing or rags”. Surprisingly, despite its seeming abundance, we haven’t heard of anyone fined or, worst, imprisoned. By its (ukay-ukay) sheer volume, it is unthinkable that these will go through the piercing eyes of the men and women of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) unnoticed. Unless one shall opt to go blind, the much ballyhooed state-of-the-art X-ray machines positioned at the international ports could have easily detected them too.
Unfortunately, however, Republic Act No. 1937 (in particular, Sec. 105 paragraph v.), allows importation of these stuffs for relief work or for non-for-profit relief organizations. Thus, through this small window of opportunity, some “ukay-ukay” importations have been made legal. Suspiciously, however, through devious means, it went to the mainstream not to the intended beneficiaries (like the typhoon victims). Thus, the used clothing business flourished. Unabated, this is the best recipe for the home-based garment industry’s demise.
Indeed, let’s be serious in running after violators of the price ceilings set in a state of calamity or lawless violence through fines and imprisonment. More importantly, we must not allow these calamities to be used indiscriminately to regularize importations of contraband items like “ukay-ukay”. Straightforwardly, we must eliminate such illegal practices rather than be content of dancing with these opportunists.
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